The
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (
FAO;
French:
Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture,
Italian:
Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'Alimentazione e l'Agricoltura) is an agency of the
United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both
developed and
developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve
agriculture,
forestry and
fisheries practices, ensuring good
nutrition and
food security for all. Its
Latin motto,
fiat panis, translates as "let there be bread". , FAO has 194 member states, along with the
European Union (a "member organization"), and the
Faroe Islands and
Tokelau, which are associate members.